But it hurts to look at him and remember what he said, so I turn away quickly. “No,” I say to Richard. Then louder, “No. Hear me now, all who listen. I will marry no man. Today alone, one has tried to kill me, another is displaying his cowardice and another still has cut the heart straight from my body. I will not marry. Not now. Not ever. Do not ask me again!”
Richard bows his head. “Yes, my queen.”
“Go hide the prince, as he wishes,” I order one of the guards.
“You need to be hidden, too, Britta,” Rex says, sounding hoarse. “You need to go somewhere safe. Immediately. Please.”
“No. I won’t.” Talking hurts. Standing upright hurts. Everything hurts. “And you’ve been relieved of your duties as my guard. Please go.”
“No.”
Fire presses in behind my eyes. “No?”
“No. I am not leaving you.” Rex shakes his head, takes a step in my direction. “I will protect my queen. Always.”
I shake my head. “No. You’ll protect the people.” That’s what I want, I realize. That is the order I need to give. A queen’s top priority is her people. However, I’m inexperienced and I don’t know how to command the men. One day I will. But for now, I am tongue tied.
It’s amazing what happens next.
I look at Rex and he seems to read my mind perfectly. He sees my desires and conflicts and exhaustion and he steps to my side, facing the audience of commanders and members of the court with an air of authority I have not witnessed in him before. “You. Take a dozen solders and warn Downsriver’s subjects. Tell them to move quickly to the east field, women and children first.” He moves his attention to a different commander. “You. The men in the towers need reinforcements immediately. Bring them more weapons from the stronghold. Keep them back from the palace at all costs. No one breaches its walls and gets near the queen—is that understood?”
“Yes,” they say in unison, beginning to look hopeful.
“Has the spy awoken?” I say, some of my composure returning. “Interrogate him. If he was sent to spy for Northstream, he might know their battle plan.”
Rex nods. “They have the element of surprise, but we know the land. We need to use that. Lure them in the direction of the inlet where the boats are moored. Have our soldiers cross the river in the boats and circle back around on foot. The Northstream soldiers will be left on the water’s edge with no way to cross.”
“They killed my parents,” I say, voice thick with emotion. “They tried to kill me, too. Drown them like rats.”
“Savage, my queen,” Rex says, giving me a seeking look. “I like it.”
The corner of my mouth tugs, but I beat back the smile. “And what will you do?”
Rex’s brows draw together and he looks out across the men taking up arms. The men who are complying with his orders, as well as mine. And he seems at a loss, which serves to frustrate me further. Doesn’t he see that they snapped into action as soon as he opened his mouth. Doesn’t he see how it might have been if we ruled side by side? I have the urge to show him now. To let him witness what he’s lost.
Or maybe I just love him beyond reason and want to show him his potential.
“You will lead, Rexington,” I say quietly. “You will lead.”
Uncertainty flickers in his eyes, but it’s in his nature to obey me, so he swallows once and nods. Gives me a long, final, memorizing look and strides off down the center of the men, soldiers hastening to create a path for their new leader.
An image of my giant lying in a pile of bloodied corpses freezes my blood. As if I needed any further proof that my love for him is still alive and well, perhaps even growing by the second. “And you will not die!” I cry out, before Rex can reach the doors of the great hall.
Rex stops, pausing with his hand on the frame, then continues on into the fray, dragging my heart along behind him.
* * *
Rex
Our plan—mine and Britta’s—works.
We push the Northstream soldiers to the edge of the inlet, circle around and come at them from the other direction, sending them swimming for their lives. Halfway through the battle, I receive word at the frontlines that Britta’s would-be assassin has given information about a second wave of soldiers, prompting me to lead dozens of men in a surprise attack at the kingdom’s perimeter.
The sun is beginning to dip on the horizon when the tide turns and Northstream retreats. With the threat of violence under control and the queen safe, I order the injured men to be taken to the east field where they can be attended to immediately. And with my adrenaline waning, I start to replay the last bloody hours of battle in my mind. I hear my voice shouting over the din of horse hooves and clashing of swords. I was asked to lead and I did so, because the queen asked it of me.